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November 3, 2004
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Watauga
Watauga County Links
Official County Website
• Watauga County Government website
• Sample Election Ballot (pdf format)
Featured Stories
County Commissioner
• Roadway
issues, drug labs are focus of Watauga races
Democrats, Republicans will face off in 3 districts
Oct 13, 2004
Traffic problems, lingering resentments about a state designation of a section of U.S. 421 as a scenic
byway and the continuing battle against methamphetamine labs are topics in the race for the Watauga County
Board of Commissioners.
N.C. House - District 93
• Ex-TV
exec is vying with 13-year veteran
Oct 26, 2004
Rep. Gene Wilson has represented the northwestern corner of North Carolina for years, but a relative newcomer
to the area says that Wilson hasn't used his time in the N.C. House of Representatives to the High Country's
advantage.
Candidate Profiles
Voters in Watauga will choose three commissioners
Compiled by Monte Mitchell
Three of five seats are being contested for the Watauga County Board of Commissioners.
Voters countywide will select among candidates from districts.
The District 2 race is between Democrat Billy Ralph Winkler and Republican James Coffey, an incumbent.
The District 3 race is between Democrat Jim Deal and Republican Joe Phillips. The District 5 race is between
Democrat Winston Kinsey and Republican Allen Trivette, an incumbent.
The top two vote getters will serve four-year terms and the third-place finisher will serve a two-year
term.
Ned Jestes is running unopposed for the position of Watauga Soil and Water Conservation District supervisor.
Republican Joann Townsend is running unopposed for Watauga register of deeds.
James
Coffey (Click name to read full profile)
Party: Republican.
Home address: 3609 Bamboo Road, Boone
Date of birth: Nov. 1, 1931
Education: Appalachian High School
Occupation: Retired. Self-employed for 52 years.
Family: Married with three children and nine grandchildren
Political experience: 14 years on Watauga County Board of Commissioners, current chairman.
What makes you best qualified: During 14 years of perfect attendance on the board, I have worked to build new schools, increase the number of teachers, protect the environment, support economic development, support the sheriff’s department and improve the county’s availability of medical care.
Top priority if elected: Growth is one of many important issues. We must continue to support our school system and law-enforcement agencies. Also, we must encourage the recruitment and growth of businesses with good wages and benefits.
Jim
Deal (Click name to read full profile)
Party: Democrat.
Home address: 152 The Meadows, Boone
Date of birth: March 19, 1949
Education: Watauga High School, Appalachian State University, University of North Carolina School of Law.
Occupation: Lawyer.
Family: Married with four children
Political experience: Eight years on Watauga County Board of Education, including three years as chairman.
What makes you best qualified: My experience qualifies me to serve. I have served on the board of education, as county attorney, on the Community Foundation, on the board of directors of Habitat for Humanity, as a trustee for Appalachian State University, and as chairman of the trustees and administrative council for my church.
Top priority if elected: My top priority is education. The county commission must develop a working partnership with the board of education to develop long-range plans to meet academic, personnel and facility needs. We must work together to recruit and retain quality teachers who can prepare students for success.
Winston
Kinsey (Click name to read full profile)
Party: Democrat
Home address: 972 Lawrence Greene Road, Deep Gap
Date of birth: March 7, 1943
Education: B.A., Baylor University; M.A., Baylor University; Ph.D, Texas Tech University
Occupation: Farmer and retired history professor at Appalachian State University
Family: Married with three children
Political experience: None
What makes you best qualified: My work habits, education, experience. Integrity, understanding of farmers and rural people makes me qualified. I support the Watauga County Board of Education, sheriff’s office and fire departments. I have a willingness to plan and a desire to broaden the economic base, develop affordable housing and recreation facilities. I have respect for innate equality of all women and men.
Top priority if elected: Our sheriff and his deputies have been efficient and professional in securing the public safety in general and have shut down numerous meth labs in the process. We must budget for law enforcement’s needs. Related to this, we must provide for excellent education and recreation for our young people.
Lewis “Joe” Phillips (Click
name to read full profile)
Party: Republican
Home address: 136 Spring Hope Drive, Zionville
Date of birth: Feb.16, 1940
Education: Bethel High School. Various trade schools (electrical, carpentry, plumbing, welding, HVAC, appliance technician and general contracting)
Occupation: General contractor/developer
Family: Married with three sons and six grandchildren
Political experience: Precinct official for 26 years
What makes you best qualified: My roots are here and I was raised to believe that much is required of those that much is given. This county has given me so much; it is a part of me. I have had wonderful experiences with the people here, and I would love to represent their interests.
Top priority if elected: My top priority is to serve the people of Watauga County with honesty and integrity whatever the issues. I plan to research and have a firm understanding of the important issues facing our district, such as education, protecting and stimulating our economy without raising taxes and without more government regulation.
Allen
Trivette (Click name to read full profile)
Party: Republican
Home address: 1251 Soc Houck Road, Boone
Date of birth: May 9, 1950
Education: High school, some college
Occupation: Tire store owner and farmer
Family: Married with three children
Political experience: Two-year incumbent Watauga County commissioner
What makes you best qualified: Watauga County is my home, not just a place that I am passing through. I have 35 years of business-management experience. I know how to operate within a budget and run a successful business. The county has to be run like a business.
Top priority if elected: No tax increase is my main priority. Our county budget allows every department to meet our needs, but we cannot have all our wants. One of my goals is to be a good steward of the taxpayer’s dollars.
Billy
Ralph Winkler (Click name to read full profile)
Party: Democrat
Home address: 330 Wild Rose Lane, Boone
Date of birth: July 27, 1951
Education: Didn’t respond
Occupation: Public-school music teacher
Family: Did not provide
Political experience: Did not provide
What makes you best qualified: Did not provide
Top priority if elected: Did not provide
Three candidates up for District 93 seat
Compiled by Laura Giovanelli
Incumbent Gene Wilson, a Republican from Boone who has represented Western North Carolina for the past
14 years, will be challenged by Democrat Cullie Tarleton and Libertarian Brandon Derr for N.C. House,
District 93.
The district covers Watauga and Ashe counties. A retiree from Charlotte, Tarleton has never run for public
office but says that Wilson hasn’t been a loud enough voice for Western North Carolina. Wilson says that
voters should count on his experience.
Derr did not respond to the Winston-Salem Journal’s request for information. The district covers Watauga
and Ashe counties.
Cullie
Tarleton (Click name to read full profile)
Party: Democrat
Home address: P O Box 1269, 1786 Main St., Blowing Rock
Date of birth: Jan. 15, 1939
Education: Marshville High School; Young Executive’s Institute, University of North Carolina Business School
Occupation: Retired broadcasting executive
Family: Married, with three children and six grandchildren.
What makes you best qualified: I will be a strong, active and engaging voice in Raleigh for our district. Our district doesn’t currently get a fair hearing in Raleigh. I’m not a politician, but a retired businessman and a fiscal conservative. I will fight for and stand with you, not the special interest in Raleigh.
Top priority if elected: My top priority will be jobs and economic development. I will work closely with the governor and his economic team to bring new well-paying jobs to our district. I will also work to improve funding for Appalachian State University, schools, teachers, retired state employees and affordable health care for our citizens.
Gene
Wilson (Click name to read full profile)
Party: Republican
Home address: 881 Queen Street, Boone
Date of birth: May 5, 1929
Education: Cove Creek High School
Occupation: Semiretired — restaurant owner, Dan’l Boone Inn; farmer
Family: Married with three children and five grandchildren.
Political experience: four terms as a Watauga County Commissioner; 13 years in the N.C. House.
What makes you best qualified: I have a lifetime of experience in the district. I have raised a family, farmed, owned and operated several small businesses, created jobs and served in local government. I best understand the challenges this district faces. I have always seen my job as serving the interest of the people, rather than playing politics.
Top priority if elected: I will continue to improve the quality of life for the citizens of Ashe and Watauga counties. I will continue to fight for better education, a lower tax base to attract businesses, and pro-family legislation.